As suicides rise, young survivors make case for hope in film

“Each and Every Day” represents studies in courage, both in life and in the MTV documentary about young people and suicide.

In frank and revelatory conversations, nine survivors recount what took them to the brink and how they fought, and continue to fight, to keep claim on themselves and their right to live.

With suicides by young people already on the rise in recent years and the relentless pandemic piling on pressure, a film giving voice to those who attempted or considered suicide takes on more urgency. It airs commercial-free at 9 p.m. EST Tuesday on MTV.

One young person, a college student named Hannah, didn’t hesitate when she was invited to be part of the project from director Alexandra Shiva and executive producer Sheila Nevins.

“It was an immediate ‘yes,’” Hannah said in an interview. “I need to do this, I need to take this opportunity to tell my story. Hopefully, kids and people out there who watch will listen to my story. Hopefully, they see that I overcame so many obstacles and they can, too.”

She emphasized what others in the film say: It’s critical to realize you can’t go it alone.

Family and friends also have a crucial role, Shiva said.

“If you think someone is thinking about suicide, ask them. Talking about it isn’t going to put someone more at risk,” she said.

The pandemic appears to be further undermining mental health in America, with young adults aged 18 to 24 among

the groups most prone to thoughts of suicide, according to a survey released last August by the CDC.

“Each and Every Day” doesn’t dwell on statistics or experts, instead giving the floor to the participants and their individual stories. There’s also a group Zoom discussion that lets the young adults connect with each other and, indirectly, viewers.

With quiet, undramatic honesty, they talk about how long they’ve battled depression — many since middle school — and what it took for them to realize they couldn’t survive without support. For those of color, skeptical community attitudes about mental health treatment and the pressure of expectations are cited as further burdens.

AP Documentary film subject Emma in a scene from "Each and Every Day," about young people and suicide.